Model-based Development Suite: solidThinking Activate, Compose and Embed capabilities encompassing concept studies, control design, system performance optimization and controller implementation and testing are now part of the platform.

Electromagnetics Analysis and Design: Flux for EM simulation of static and low frequency applications, and WinProp for propagation modeling and radio network planning are added as perfect complements to FEKO, focused on high frequency EM simulations related to antenna design, placement, radiation hazard and bio electromagnetics.

Material Modeling and Manufacturing: Multiscale Designer is a tool for development and simulation of accurate models for heterogeneous material systems including laminated composites, honeycomb cores, reinforced concrete, soil, bones, and various others. Manufacturing offerings now include solidThinking “Click2” products for extrusion, casting and metal forming process simulation.

Usability and Efficient Model Management: HyperMesh now offers a complete, robust solution for assembly and model variants management, expanding the part library and configuration management capabilities. Important new features for crash and safety users have also been implemented. A brand new desktop tool called ConnectMe has been developed to efficiently manage, launch and update all the products within the HyperWorks suite.

“HyperWorks 2017 adds key enhancements to the modeling and assembly capabilities of the software,” said James P. Dagg, chief technical officer, User Experience at Altair. “Users can now communicate directly with their enterprise PLM system, storing libraries of parts and configurations of their models. Tasks like setting up a model with multiple configurations for different disciplines can now be done in minutes.”

Multiphysics Analysis and Performance: Major speed and scalability improvements have been implemented for all the Altair solvers. In particular, structural analysis capabilities for OptiStruct have been further elevated to support the most complex nonlinear contact and material models. For fluid simulation (CFD), new turbulence and transition models have been implemented in AcuSolve to capture laminar to turbulent flow regime change.

In terms of computational performance, FEKO, OptiStruct, and RADIOSS leverage the most modern computer architectures and latest parallelization technology to generate solutions faster and make them more scalable on compute clusters.

“With the HyperWorks 2017 release we followed our vision to continue focusing on simulation-driven innovation. We are now able to simulate more physics with improved HPC performance,” said Uwe Schramm, chief technical officer, Solvers and Optimization at Altair. “In particular, with the addition of Flux for low-frequency EM simulation, we’re offering a complete multiphysics portfolio all linked through optimization.”

Founded in 1985, Altair is focused on the development and application of simulation technology to synthesize and optimize designs, processes and decisions for improved business performance. Privately held with more than 2,600 employees, Altair is headquartered in Troy, MI, USA with more than 45 offices throughout 20 countries, and serves more than 5,000 corporate clients across broad industry segments.